Vent for electrolytic devices



' Nov. 15, 1938. G K, SZIKLA, 2,136,568

'VENT FOR ELECTROLYTIC DEVICES Filed A ril 1'7. 1936 INVENTOR ATTORNEY BY W Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES VENT FOR ELEoTRonYT o DEVICES George K. Szilrlai, New York, N -Y., .assignor :to V Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc, Brooklyn,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 17,

3 Claims.

Accordingly it is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved vent for electrolytic devices generally.

Another object is to provide a vent for electrolytic devices, which vent is simple in structure, economical to manufacture and to assemble, and which reduces the possibility of contamination of the electrolyte to a minimum.

A feature of the invention relates to an improved venting arrangement for an electrolytic device, whereby the danger of damage to persons or objects resulting from the escape of gases or liquid from the device is materially reduced.

Another feature relates to the novel organization, arrangement and relative location of parts which go to make up a cheap, and efficient valving event for electrolytic devices.

While the invention will be described herein as embodied in one form of electrolytic device, namely an electric condenser of the liquid electrolyte type, it will be understood that this is done merely for purposes of explanation and not by Way of limitation.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a condenser comprising a metal container I which may, if desired, be of such a metal that it can constitute one of the condenser electrodes, although it will be understood that the invention is not limited in that respect. Insulatingly sealed into the bottom of the container is a suitable cooperating electrode 2 of a metal such as is usually employed in electrolytic condensers. If desired the container l and the electrode 2 may .be of the same material such as aluminum or other film-forming metal and if desired an auxiliary electrode or cathanode (not shown) may 1936, Serial No; 74,892

portion 4 preferably, although not necessarily, circular in contour. Prior to sealing the cover to the container, a relatively thin flat rubber band 5 is tightly fitted over the re-entrant cylindrical Wall of the recess 4. As will be seen, this cylindrical wall has, been previously provided with a series of circumferentially spaced perforations 6, only one of which is shown in the drawing. After the condenser has been completely assembled, the rubber band is punctured by passing a very fine needle through one or more of the perforations 6 so that the normal resiliency of the rub her band continues to effectively seal the perfora tion. However should gases be generated within the container at any time, the increase in pressure within the container above atmospheric pressure, causes the very fine perforation in the rubber band to automatically open thus providing a vent for the escape of these gases.

The provision of the recessed portion 4 and the arrangement of the valved vent openings on the cylindrical wall of this portion 4 has the advantage that should the escaping gases carry with them some of the liquid electrolyte, the electrolyte issues in a fine stream and impinges upon the opposite side of the wall of the recess instead of being projected directly away from the condenser. The recessed portion of the top cover therefore provides a receptacle for the escaping liquid and when the condenser is mounted in a vertical position as shown in the drawing, this escaped electrolyte remains in the recess and is thus prevented from fiowing onto adjacent objects.

The valved vent in addition to possessing the advantages enumerated, also reduces the possibility of contamination of the electrolyte because the rubber band can be of relatively small surface extent and is the only foreign substance within the cell apart from the necessary parts thereof, namely the electrodes and the electrolyte.

While one specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an electrolytic device, a container for an electrolyte, a cover for said container, said cover having a re-entrant portion and a raised rim, a perforation in the wall of said re-entrant portion, and a resilient band closely surrounding said reentrant portion on the interior of said container and normally closing off said perforation, but allowing the escape of gases from said container through said perforation when the pressure within the container rises above atmospheric pressure, said perforation being disposed below the upper edge of said rim and facing said rim.

2. In an electrolytic device, a container for an electrolyte, a cover hermetically united to said container, said cover having a raised rim and a cylindrical recessed portion the cylindrical wall of said recessed portion being provided with at least one perforation, a rubber band tightly fitting around said cylindrical wall on the interior of said container and normally hermetically sealing said perforation, said rubber band having a fine opening which normally is maintained closed due to the resiliency of the rubber but opens to allow gases to escape from the container when the pressure within the container is above atmospheric pressure, said perforation being disposed below the upper edge of said rim and facing below the said rim.

3. In an electrolytic device, a container for an electrolyte, a cover with a raised rim hermetically united to said container, a cylindrical re-entrant recess in said cover the cylindrical wall of said recess having a series of spaced perforations, a

flat rubber band tightly fitted over said cylindrical wall on the interior of the container, said rubber band having a series of fine normally closed openings in alignment with the said perforations, said perforations being disposed below the upper edge of said rim and facing said rim for the purpose described.

GEORGE K. SZIKLAI. 

